Page 5 of Guarding Zuri
“I appreciate your advice, Mr. Knight,” Bayo said.Here it comes.“But we have been planning this meeting for weeks, as my daughter has stated. The African Defense Coalition is on our side. Delegates from the coalition, your country, and others are risking their lives to meet us. To change now would set us back. We might not get another chance.” He rubbed a hand from his forehead to the base of his neck. Perspiration rained down around his ears. “I cannot afford to lose this support. All these years… What we’ve worked for has sprouted and the harvest is upon us. The meeting must go forward as originally scheduled. Our security team can handle the Elite Guard. We—we will die, if necessary, for the freedom of Bendola.”
Zuri raised her chin, her smile triumphant.
Bayo looked exhausted. For years he had been living like a mole, fighting, clawing for every win. Daemon understood why the man didn’t want to wait any longer. He, too, needed hope. “You only get one life,” Daemon said quietly. “Don’t you want to live to see that freedom?”
“Our lives are ours to do with as we see fit, Mr. Knight,” Zuri snapped. “Look around you. Each one of us willsacrificethat life for Bendola. Tomorrow or six months from now.”
Daemon remained silent. He wasn’t used to yielding, especially not to someone he believed ignorant of the situation. But he respected Zuri’s passion and commitment to the cause of freedom. It was why he joined the military—to serve his country and help defend people from dictators and terrorists all over the world. Her devotion to her people and willingness to sacrifice for a cause greater than her life was admirable.I won’t let you die.
“I believe I dismissed you,” she said cooly.
“Zuri—”
“It’s okay, David,” Daemon said, slapping his friend on the shoulder. He held Zuri’s gaze. “See you later, Princess.”
“Not likely,” she shot back.
Daemon turned on his heels and exited the room.
“Daemon, wait.” Daemon slowed his pace until David caught up. “I apologize for Zuri. She can be…”
“Stubborn? Demanding? Nothing I can’t handle.” Daemon eyed his friend. “You and her?”
David shook his head. “No, no…” He chuckled. “We are just friends.”
Sure.Daemon wondered. He could see that from Zuri’s perspective, but if he was eager to taste that mouth of hers, then David’s lack of interest surprised him. The woman was an exquisite creature whose beauty had blown him away the first moment he set eyes on her—and David had neglected to mention that. Her picture hadn’t done her any sort of justice. Lovely dark eyes, smooth umber-colored skin. He’d seen some lovely women since he had crossed the border, but none with Zuri’s presence. If she wasn’t a princess, she should be one.
“Whatever,” Daemon said. “I’m headed back to base. Parker’s briefing the latest intel. I’ll forward it to you, unless you want to come along.”
“There are a few things I’ve got to take care of here. Brief the security teams, run the route again.” He sighed. “Maybe I can convince Bayo to hold off a few days, but I doubt it. It’s hard to tell, but Zuri gets her stubborn streak from him.”
“Then I’ll be at the meeting.”
“Even though she fired you?”
Daemon barked his laughter. “You think I’m going to let her stop me? She thinks she’s in control, but she’s never met me before.”
“And you’re a control freak. She’s met her match.”
Daemon narrowed his eyes at his friend. “I resent that. It’s my job to control as many of the variables as possible. How else am I supposed to keep my clients safe?”
“Point very well taken.” They paused at the back door, where they had entered earlier. “What will you do?”
“Protect her. That’s my job.”
David frowned. “She’ll give you a hard time. I doubt she will let you lead.”
Daemon chuckled. “You sound like she has a choice. Let me? David, how long have we known each other?”
David’s full lips tilted upward. “A long time, Daemon.”
“That’s right. When have I ever asked for permission or ever let a client order me around?”
“Which is why you failed to make rank a few times, if I recall correctly.”
Daemon smiled. There were a couple of promotions he missed, thanks to his propensity to disobey direct and indirect orders. “You don’t recall correctly. I only failed twice. Anyway, what she wants doesn’t matter when it comes to her safety.”
They gripped arms, Roman style. “Good luck, Daemon. You’re going to need it.”
